Brooks Koepka knows the nerves he’ll feel when he tees it up at the Farmers Insurance Open won’t come solely from the golf.
When he returns to a regular PGA Tour event for the first time in four years, the five-time major champion will step back into an environment still shaped by his decision to leave for LIV Golf in 2022 — and the consequences that followed.
How Koepka is received, both inside the ropes and beyond them, remains an open question. He will be the first player allowed back onto the PGA Tour after defecting to the Saudi-backed league.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do with some of the players,” Koepka said in a telephone interview Monday. “There are definitely guys who are happy, and definitely guys who will be angry. The punishment is harsh financially, and I understand why the tour did that — it’s meant to hurt. But my leaving hurt a lot of people.
“If anyone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships.”
Koepka’s return was made possible through a one-time Returning Member Program approved last week by the PGA Tour board. The policy applies only to players who have won a major championship or The Players Championship since 2022.
The penalties are steep: a $5 million contribution to a charity chosen with the tour, no eligibility for FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026, no sponsor exemptions into the $20 million signature events, and no equity grants in PGA Tour Enterprises for five years.
The tour estimates that, based on Koepka performing at a level consistent with a five-time major winner, the total financial impact could range from $50 million to $85 million.
“There was no negotiating,” Koepka said of his discussions with PGA Tour Enterprises CEO Brian Rolapp. “It’s meant to hurt — it does hurt — but I get it. It’s not supposed to be an easy path back.”
For those who oppose his return, Koepka said he expects uncomfortable conversations — and welcomes them.
“The first week, I’ll be a little nervous,” he said. “There’s a lot more going on than just golf. Dealing with the media, dealing with the players, having some tougher conversations. But I’m looking forward to it.
“Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Yes. In a weird way, I want to have those conversations.”
Jordan Spieth believes Koepka doesn’t need to overcompensate.
“You’re not going to ask somebody to change to please other people,” Spieth said. “He doesn’t need to walk around apologizing. He just comes back and plays really good golf. That’s good for everybody.”
The Returning Member Program was approved by a board led by player representatives. Koepka spoke with Rolapp on Thursday evening and arrived alone at PGA Tour headquarters the following morning, entering through a side door.
The 35-year-old, who is exempt on tour through 2028 thanks to his 2023 PGA Championship victory at Oak Hill, will make his return Jan. 29 at Torrey Pines. He also plans to play the WM Phoenix Open, where he claimed his first PGA Tour victory in 2015 and won again in 2021.
That tournament could offer the truest gauge of public sentiment, particularly on the raucous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
“I can handle it,” Koepka said. “I enjoy the crowd. Hopefully people are happy to see me. They can’t be mad at me forever.”
Questions linger over why Koepka chose to return now. Rumors surfaced in November that negotiations with LIV Golf — where he had one year remaining on his contract — were not going well. Koepka had also voiced frustration last summer that the league wasn’t progressing as he had hoped.
On Dec. 23, LIV announced an “amicable” split, and Koepka reapplied for PGA Tour membership.
Initially, Koepka cited a knee injury and a desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for joining LIV. His decision to leave LIV, he said, was driven by the same priorities, particularly after his wife suffered a miscarriage last fall.
“I needed to be there for my family,” Koepka said. “I needed to be closer to home. Everything lined up, and I was able to get back on tour.
“I’m happy and grateful it worked out.”
Koepka has acknowledged that LIV offered him a nine-figure deal but has never disclosed the full terms or what he may have repaid by exiting early.
Now, the focus shifts to competing again on familiar ground — alongside players he has largely seen only at major championships. Some will welcome him back. Others may not.
“I understand everybody’s point of view,” Koepka said. “There’s probably a mix of ‘Welcome home’ and ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ I’m extremely thankful the tour gave me this opportunity.”
No comments:
Post a Comment